Case grad Correll excited to start pro career

Monday

Jun 9, 2014 at 9:40 PMJun 9, 2014 at 9:44 PM

Zac Correll's life has shifted into overdrive. “It's insane. I was drafted one day. The next day I signed. And tomorrow I'm leaving,” the recent Case High graduate said on Monday from his home. The 6-foot-7 righthander was a 13th-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

Greg SullivanHerald News Staff Reporter

Zac Correll’s life has shifted into overdrive.

“It’s insane. I was drafted one day. The next day I signed. And tomorrow I’m leaving,” the recent Case High graduate said on Monday from his home.

The 6-foot-7 righthander was a 13th-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. He signed a contract on Sunday. And Correll has an 11 a.m. flight today bound for Arizona where he will begin his professional career with the Rookie League Arizona Reds.

For the record, Monday was no relaxation day. Accompanied by his mother, Rhonda, and girlfriend, Kelsey Borges, Correll hit the Wrentham Outlets to get the required clothing, spelled out clearly in his paperwork from the Reds.

“It’s been very good and very stressful,” Correll said. “But it’s all good. I got drafted by a professional team and I’m living my dream.”

Correll was signed by Cincinnati Northeast Region scout John Ceprino, no stranger to the Corrells. Ceprini has been a regular when Correll pitched. “We know him on a personal basis,” Correll said.

Steve Pierce of Arizona, already Correll’s financial advisor, became his agent as soon as he signed the contract. Correll said his father, Rick, brought Pierce into the picture a few months ago. He said Pierce is well liked and respected by Ceprini and seems to have an outstanding reputation.

The fact Pierce is just a 45-minute drive away from Goodyear, Ariz, home of the Rookie Reds, makes Correll feel more comfortable about the big move.

Fitting for a 21st-century athlete, Correll learned of his 13th-round selection via social media. He was at Kelsey’s Mt. Hope High School graduation, at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., where he was not getting cell phone reception.

The news came via a Facebook message from his father, and it coincided with Kelsey crossing the stage.

“It was like a movie,” Correll said. “I just started crying.”

Correll said that, under strict order from the Reds, he will not divulge how much he signed for. Asked if it was six figures, he said, “I was more than happy with what I got.”

Correll did say his contract included a “college supplement” which would pay for college either offseason or post career, even if it is cut short by injury.